Nutcracker & Fall Dance Classes

Ethan and Nikki White danced for professional ballet companies in the San Francisco Bay Area for 10+ years before embarking on their own performance/choreographic career. They were one of the top 3 finalists in Paula Abdul’s CBS show “Live to Dance” and also competed in ballroom competitions including the prestigious “Blackpool Competition”. They are on a mission to broaden the audience for dance, by highlighting the variety of contexts in which dance is the most direct, efficient, and creative form of human connection and communication. They have done this through writing books about dance, doing outreach, motion capture, interactive art installations, lectures, paintings, sculpting, acting, writing, directing and producing performances, shorts, and films. They are currently organizing their next show, “Not your Normal Nutcracker” and promoting a new fundraising solution for schools under the umbrella, “4 the Village“. They have two beautiful children and want them to grow up in a world where art is the norm.

Nutcracker has always included stylized versions of ethnic dances within the divertissements. We intend to include a wider range of genres in the whole story. We are going to have a wide variety of dance styles (ballet, hip-hop, tap, jazz), ages, as well as bringing in spoken word, gymnastics, maybe even karate!

Auditions take place Thursday, September 20th from 3:15-4:15 OR Saturday, September 22nd from 10:45-11:45. (spoiler alert – everyone gets a part 🙂

Rehearsals are on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 OR Saturdays from 10:45-11:45. Not everyone will be needed for the full hour every week so you must be on the lookout for emails prior to each rehearsal that will give you your child’s rehearsal schedule. There may be additional nutcracker rehearsals on Thursdays from 5-5:30 or Saturdays 12:30-1pm but only if needed (would only be used for older and/or guest dancers).

Along with putting together the production, Nikki & Ethan are offering dance classes. If you are looking for a dance class for a dancer older than 9 please let us know. If we have enough demand for a certain age we have the option to add another class.

To be in the rehearsals & performances of the Nutcracker you must make it to a minimum of 5 rehearsals and be here for the performance days, Nov. 17th & 18th. This cost covers both rehearsals and costume rental. Parents are welcome to be in the Nutcracker as well! (no charge 🙂

If the cost is discouraging you from signing up, please talk to us. We don’t want that to be the reason you don’t participate. Please contact us directly to discuss.

“I like the music because it is fast and fun, and teacher Nikki is really fun,”

Nell BrickmanCamp Student

“I like Nikki’s ballet camps because it isn’t just ballet, it is a cultural awakening done in a fun way for these little guys. My daughter got into the car the other day and exclaimed, “Firebird?” Stravinsky was playing. I’d say that’s pretty fantastic.”